For over a decade, my sister Ava has been fighting a battle no one could see- and for far too long, no one would listen.

Since 2012, she was told her pain and bleeding were “normal.” Doctor after doctor dismissed her, minimizing symptoms that were anything but normal. While she was being told to push through, her body was quietly breaking down.

Everything changed in 2023.

Ava began hemorrhaging daily- passing large blood clots without relief. The pain became unbearable, completely debilitating. She developed severe anemia, requiring iron infusions just to survive. Her heart raced uncontrollably with tachycardia. Her body began attacking itself with full-body rashes, swelling, and episodes of anaphylaxis. She was in and out of hospitals constantly- yet still left without answers.

After years of being dismissed, Ava was finally diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis. She underwent her first surgery, where the diagnosis was confirmed, and doctors also discovered adenomyosis. The endometriosis was extensive and carefully excised, giving us hope that this would finally be the turning point- that this would be her last surgery.

But those hopes were short-lived.

Her symptoms returned quickly and aggressively, bringing her right back into the cycle of pain and uncertainty. Just two years later, Ava was forced to undergo another surgery- this time with a specialist known for expertise in endometriosis.

On top of everything, she suffers from mast cell activation syndrome, which causes life-threatening allergic reactions to many treatments that are supposed to help her.

Despite trying countless medications- antihistamines, steroids, pain medications including morphine and dilaudid, injections, and hormonal therapies- nothing brought relief.

Her most recent surgery revealed the true extent of her condition: Her entire pelvic and abdominal cavity was overtaken by fibrotic masses and endometrial lesions. Her organs were literally fused together by disease. Her nerves, ovaries, uterus, ureters- everything was affected.

Even after surgery, the suffering didn’t stop- she had to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital due to severe complications and was admitted for several days. Her blood pressure crashed, she stopped breathing. She developed an infection at her incision site.

A presacral neurectomy was preformed during this last surgery which is a surgical procedure that severs certain pelvic nerve pathways to help relieve chronic pain, but in Ava’s case, it has led to severe and unexpected complications. Three weeks after the operation, she is struggling to move her left leg and experiences debilitating, screaming pain even during basic functions like using the bathroom, while her surgeon has no clear explanation or resolution and has never encountered this specific combination of complications before.

Every step forward has come with another setback.

Since September 8, 2025, Ava has been unable to work. Her short-term disability ended in March 2026, and she is not yet eligible for long-term support- yet she still has to pay for her insurance and mounting medical costs.

Since 2023, it has been an avalanche of hospital bills with no time to recover-physically, emotionally, or financially.

And the hardest part?

I miss my sister.

I miss who she was before all of this. Before the pain. Before the exhaustion. Before the constant fear. Ava was vibrant- she loved hiking, traveling, laughing, living freely. She was a dedicated pediatric nurse who gave her heart to caring for others.

Now, so much of that has been taken from her.

This disease has stolen her independence, her career, her social life, and so many of the things that made Ava, Ava.

It is devastating to live with endometriosis- but when combined with adenomyosis and MCAS, where your body rejects even the treatments meant to help, the options become terrifyingly limited.

We are trying to raise money to help cover Ava’s overwhelming medical bills, ongoing treatments, surgeries, medications, and basic living expenses as she continues to fight for her health. More than anything, this support will help her reclaim her independence- because while others her age are out living, dreaming, and building their futures, Ava is fighting every single day just to survive through relentless, unending pain.

If you can donate, share, or simply keep Ava in your thoughts and prayers- it means more than we can ever express.

Help me help my sister find her way back to herself, please.